Evaluation
Evaluation of the Prison Radio Association's activities - 2007
Summary
The PRA was successful in bidding for European funding (Equal) for training activity in 2007/8 and developed a two week taster course in radio production for delivery in a number of prisons across the West Midlands.
The courses used radio to engage offenders disenfranchised from the education system. During the courses offenders planned and produced recordings about jobs, careers and educational opportunities. Working as a group, learners also planned and produced programmes concerning issues affecting serving offenders.
The courses were designed by the PRA specifically for prisoners and supported learning in basic, key and life skills. All those completing the courses worked towards an NCFE Level 1 Award - Introduction to Radio Production.
Evaluation
The taster courses were followed by a forum at each of the prisons to evaluate impact with consultations with offenders, the prison and probation service, local education providers, community radio and potential employers. The evaluation tested the potential for using radio training in the prison as a tool for embedding Skills for Life and adding value to existing prison education provision.
An independent evaluation led by Dr. Katherine Wilkinson (Hallam Centre for Community Justice) into the PRA's delivery of the Equal funded project is available to read here.
The West Midlands Prison Radio Taster Project - Executive Summary ( PDF )
Evaluation of the Prison Radio Association's activities - 2008
Summary
Alongside its support role in offering advice and guidance to other prison radio projects the PRA established its own radio station at HMP Brixton in late 2007. It did this in order to learn valuable lessons and to share best practice with other participating prisons.
Electric Radio Brixton (ERB) works closely with Kensington and Chelsea College, the education provider at HMP Brixton. Electric Radio Brixton was the first prison radio station in the UK to broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Throughout 2008 prisoners gained 33 radio production qualifications (with key skills embedded) through their involvement with the radio station. The courses were designed by the Radio Tutor employed by the college again specifically for prisoners learning basic, key and life skills. Prisoners worked towards NCFE Level 1 Award - Introduction to Radio Production and NCFE Level 2 Award - Radio Production.
Evaluation
An Ofsted inspection (May 2008) identified the training course and Electric Radio Brixton as an example of best practice within the education provision at HMP Brixton.
The project was also praised in the prison's most recent HM Chief Inspector of Prison's report, (published in October 2008).
An independent evaluation again led by Dr. Katherine Wilkinson into the PRA's delivery of its activities during 2008 is available to read here.
An Evaluation of the Prison Radio Association's Activity Year 2: A Model for Support - Executive Summary ( PDF )